Vandalia Hotel restaurant reopens

The Vandalia Hotel’s restaurant at 112 W. State St. in Vandalia recently reopened to the public.

The Vandalia Hotel Restaurant has reopened its doors to the public under a joint venture between sisters Virginia Howdeshell and Barbara Hawkinson.
“Hopefully we can come to a point where it’s good food, good service, and a good price for the customer,” Howdeshell said. “I have very good workers now.”
She said the restaurant has always been open, just not always open to everyone. As of late the restaurant had only been serving area clubs and organizations.
Howdeshell, who will be acting as head chef until she finds an ample replacement, said the restaurant will be open Thursday-Sunday from 6 a.m.-2 p.m. with daily plate specials. On Fridays from 5 p.m.-8 p.m., Howdeshell will host a whole catfish buffet. During normal business hours on Sunday, a “Sunday Buffet” will be available.
“I do mostly oven and top of the stove cooking,” Howdeshell said, adding that the food will all be home-style eats.
Howdeshell renovated the hotel in 1997 and opened the restaurant in 1998. She said the hotel is the oldest restored hotel still operating in Audrain County. The hotel consists of three apartments and eight rooms.

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